Table of Contents:

• An Introduction to ADD/ADHD
• Symptoms of ADD/ADHD
• Disorders Related to ADD/ADHD
• Causes of ADD/ADHD
• How is ADD/ADHD diagnosed?
• Treatment of ADD/ADHD
• Additional Treatments for ADD/ADHD
• Adult ADD/ADHD
• Getting Help for ADD/ADHD
• What is the Outlook for ADD/ADHD?
• Further Information

Have you ever had trouble concentrating, found it hard to sit still, interrupted others during a conversation or acted impulsively without thinking things through? Can you recall times when you daydreamed or had difficulty focusing on the task at hand? Most of us can picture acting this way from time to time. But for some people, these and other exasperating behaviors are uncontrollable, persistently plaguing their day-to-day existence and interfering with their ability to form lasting friendships or succeed in school, at home and in the workforce.

Unlike a broken bone or cancer, ADHD does not show physical signs that can be detected on an X-ray or through a blood test. In addition, many physical and psychological problems can yield symptoms that mimic those that people with ADHD commonly display. Although doctors do not know what causes ADHD, they can diagnose it and provide treatments that can help alleviate the symptoms. There are many resources where families can get the tools they need to better handle problem behaviors when they arise.

Attention deficit disorder, also known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) or hyperkinetic disorder, has been around a lot longer than most people realize. Symptoms similar to modern-day ADHD were first reported in the early 20th century. In the late 1970s, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) became the accepted term, although more recently most clinicians have reverted to just attention deficit disorder to describe the disorder characterized by inattention to activities, or impulsivity often accompanied by an increase in energy and activity levels in people who have it. It is diagnosed in both children and adults.

In recent years, major advances have been made in our understanding of ADHD:

• ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric condition in children and is a major reason for referral to a pediatrician, family physician, pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist or psychologist. An estimated 3 percent to 5 percent of school-age youngsters are affected -- more than 2 million between the ages of 5 and 18. A significant number of them display associated learning disabilities.
• Boys develop the chronic disorder three times as often as girls.
• Researchers no longer believe the symptoms of ADHD fade with the passage of time.
• Just how many adults might be affected is unclear, although some put the figure at as many as 2 percent of the general population. Many adults with ADHD were never diagnosed when they were young and may not even be aware they have the disorder. Some may have been wrongly diagnosed with depression or a personality disorder in childhood or as adults.
• ADHD crosses ethnic boundaries; researchers have found it exists in every nation and culture they have studied.

ADHD presents many challenges, both for the individuals who grapple with it as well as for society. At its worst, some experts say, ADHD saddles individuals with an increased risk of accidents, drug abuse, failure at school, antisocial behavior and criminal activity. Some people insist that ADHD sparks creativity and is a component of a creative mind. Some issues that often accompany ADHD include:

• anxiety
• various learning disabilities
• speech or hearing deficits
• obsessive-compulsive disorders
• tic disorders
• or behavioral problems such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD)

Exactly what causes ADHD has not been pinpointed, though many practitioners believe neurobiological or genetic elements play a role. In addition, numerous social factors such as family conflict or poor child-rearing practices, while not causing the condition, may complicate the course of ADHD and its treatment.

Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 7 Feb 2007